01702 965959
enquiries@garonparkcic.com
01702 965959
enquiries@garonparkcic.com
01702 965959
enquiries@garonparkcic.com
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A principle focus for Garon Park Community Interest Company is Youth and our Mission is to Improve the Mental and Physical Health of local Youth and our emphasis is Conservation.
Garon Park CIC has developed a Youth Strategy – YouthHOPE – (Click here to view the Executive Summary) detailing how we intend to bring young people’s voices to the fore at Garon Park and the measures described below form part of our whole community approach to Youth.
During the ‘Covid Lockdown’ years, a generation of Youth has had to deal with isolation, solitude and loneliness as never before. Social media has had a major impact on young lives and complicated an already difficult position with the resultant anxiety, loss of confidence and many more complications, evidenced by the growing numbers of school refusers and the growing numbers of neurodivergent diagnoses which means a generation are less educated and less well socialised than would normally be the case.
St Lukes Ward where Garon Park is situated and several of the connected central Southend Wards, feature in the top 5% of most deprived areas in the UK and the Covid effect has been heightened by those deprivations faced by the immigrant population, the multigenerational unemployed, the poorly educated and untrained etc.
Garon Park CIC and its partner organisations have responded to these deprivations by providing a range of provisions in our beautiful Greenspace, designed to improve the physical and mental health and wellbeing of our Youth.
Our main provisions and the bodies who make referrals can be viewed here.
We have plans to dramatically increase these provisions as the problems locally are varied and on a large scale and our measures can be delivered at scale and economically.
Our youth plan is driven by a strategic initiative called YouthHOPE, which is rooted in thorough research and strong community engagement. More details can be found in our strategy document.
We began with a comprehensive baseline survey focused on youth-related issues in our area. The findings revealed key gaps and opportunities that shaped our strategy. In response, we launched Garon Park Youth in 2022—a vibrant, weekly youth club that quickly became a hub for local young people. Every Wednesday, the club attracts 60-70 participants and has grown to a membership of over 450 young people.
Our facility is designed to be fully accessible, welcoming all young people, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) challenges. We’ve worked hard to ensure our programmes cater to both neurodiverse and neurotypical children, providing the support they need to thrive.
We’ve also established partnerships with specialised services to help young people overcome challenges such as school avoidance and anxiety, while also offering essential life skills. These collaborations ensure every young person has access to the resources necessary for their well-being.
Our Youth Lead, Anna Sims, is delivering this important initiative. We are actively fundraising, building capacity, and expanding our reach. Stay tuned for updates on how we’re continuing to roll out this strategy.
Garon Park Youth is our vibrant community youth club designed to provide a fun and safe environment for young people aged 8-15. Established in August 2022, the club has grown rapidly, now boasting over 450 members and welcoming more than 60 young people each week.
What we offer:
Every Wednesday night from 6-8pm, Garon Park Youth offers a wide range of exciting activities that cater to all interests:
We have football on a 3G Pitch, cooking, arts & crafts , games including air hockey, pool, table tennis, and table football, karaoke, a huge outdoor area for free play and a separate surfaces park
We also run special events, including discos, with extras like face painting and photo props.
In addition to all our activities, we have a paid tuck shop offering snacks and treats. However, we also recognise that some of our young people come to us hungry, so each week we provide free food. This initiative was introduced after we identified the need to support families and ensure that no child goes hungry while enjoying their time at the club.
Co-Production and Youth Input
At Garon Park Youth, we believe in creating a space that truly reflects the interests and needs of our members. That’s why we regularly consult with our members and young leaders, asking for their input on what they enjoy most about the club, what they’d like to change, and what activities they’d love to see more of. By involving them in these decisions, we ensure that our youth club is a space created with them, for them. Whether it’s new games, different events, or suggestions for how we can improve, their voices are at the heart of what we do.
Supporting the Community
Garon Park Youth was created to give local young people a safe and positive space to hang out, make friends, and develop new skills. Our dedicated team of DBS-checked volunteers ensures a welcoming and secure environment every week.
We’re proud to have a growing team of young leaders who gain valuable work experience and a sense of responsibility through their roles.
As part of the Jack Petchey Awards scheme, members and young leaders have the chance to be recognised for their hard work and commitment., in and out of the club.
How to Join
Joining Garon Park Youth is easy. There’s no need to book in advance – just come along, fill out a simple form on your first visit, and enjoy everything we have to offer. It’s just £3 per week to take part in all activities.
A principle focus for Garon Park Community Interest Company is Youth and our Mission is to Improve the Mental and Physical Health of local Youth and our emphasis is Conservation.
Garon Park CIC has developed a Youth Strategy – YouthHOPE – (Click here to view the Executive Summary) detailing how we intend to bring young people’s voices to the fore at Garon Park and the measures described below form part of our whole community approach to Youth.
During the ‘Covid Lockdown’ years, a generation of Youth has had to deal with isolation, solitude and loneliness as never before. Social media has had a major impact on young lives and complicated an already difficult position with the resultant anxiety, loss of confidence and many more complications, evidenced by the growing numbers of school refusers and the growing numbers of neurodivergent diagnoses which means a generation are less educated and less well socialised than would normally be the case.
St Lukes Ward where Garon Park is situated and several of the connected central Southend Wards, feature in the top 5% of most deprived areas in the UK and the Covid effect has been heightened by those deprivations faced by the immigrant population, the multigenerational unemployed, the poorly educated and untrained etc.
Garon Park CIC and its partner organisations have responded to these deprivations by providing a range of provisions in our beautiful Greenspace, designed to improve the physical and mental health and wellbeing of our Youth.
Our main provisions and the bodies who make referrals can be viewed here.
We have plans to dramatically increase these provisions as the problems locally are varied and on a large scale and our measures can be delivered at scale and economically.
Our youth plan is driven by a strategic initiative called YouthHOPE, which is rooted in thorough research and strong community engagement. More details can be found in our strategy document.
We began with a comprehensive baseline survey focused on youth-related issues in our area. The findings revealed key gaps and opportunities that shaped our strategy. In response, we launched Garon Park Youth in 2022—a vibrant, weekly youth club that quickly became a hub for local young people. Every Wednesday, the club attracts 60-70 participants and has grown to a membership of over 450 young people.
Our facility is designed to be fully accessible, welcoming all young people, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) challenges. We’ve worked hard to ensure our programmes cater to both neurodiverse and neurotypical children, providing the support they need to thrive.
We’ve also established partnerships with specialised services to help young people overcome challenges such as school avoidance and anxiety, while also offering essential life skills. These collaborations ensure every young person has access to the resources necessary for their well-being.
Our Youth Lead, Anna Sims, is delivering this important initiative. We are actively fundraising, building capacity, and expanding our reach. Stay tuned for updates on how we’re continuing to roll out this strategy.
Christine Wyatt, a Trustee of Wellbeing at Garon Park is a business women with 30+ years corporate experience of establishing, leading and operating global and local businesses. Most recently she created and developed a successful arts and crafts teaching business in Southend on Sea, helping hundreds of people learn, develop and enjoy new artistic skills.
She joined Wellbeing at Garon Park, focused on the ‘arts and crafts’ brief as we see that as a core part of the overall set of facilities and offerings we are building to support community wellbeing.
Entrepreneur / Philanthropist
In 2007 Clive started Livingstone Tanzania Trust a poverty alleviation charity in Tanzania which concentrates on children and education and to date have completely built / refurbished 9 schools and bought feeding, hygiene and menstrual programmes to the whole district – 35 schools – over 22,500 primary students a day. (www.livingstonetanzaniatrust.com).
In 2013 Clive had the idea to start a community health and wellbeing programme at Garon Park and with the help of Philip Tolhurst of Norman Garon Trust the first steps were taken in 2014
Clive is the day-to-day site Director
Retired
Born at home in Ambleside Drive in Kursaal Ward, I have lived in Southend all my life, attending Greenways Infants and Juniors, and Southend High for Boys.
Retiring early after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2018, I worked for Lloyds Bank for 37 years.
I have always sought to be involved in voluntarily supporting our community, using my skills as best I could. I was Musical Director at Shoeburyness Baptist Church for over 30 years and variously Treasurer, Captain and Chairman of Thorpe Bay LTC for 25 years.
Having retired and then with more time on my hands, I was delighted to become involved with Wellbeing at Garon Park and help in developing and maintaining their facilities to improve the Health and Wellbeing of all residents of Southend and particularly, those more vulnerable, who are so often overlooked by the “system”
Bill Burrage, originally from Billericay, moved to Southend-on-Sea at age 11. He dedicated many years to the Southend Rugby Club, fostering a strong community spirit.
Bill began his career at Chapel & Chapel a local family run business, he then moved to Gilsons, a local fishmongery, before spending over 30 years at IMS, where he drove lorries and delivered steel across the UK.
His commitment to the community extended to over 20 years with the 2nd Southchurch Scouts in Southend, where he played a pivotal role in mentoring young scouts. Bill’s life reflects dedication to his family, work, sports, and community service.
Aron is the Founder of the Priest Foundation, his mission is to improve the lives of people with mental health issues and make counselling more accessible for everyone in the Rochford District and Southend area. One of the ways they are doing this is through their grant programme, which allows approved applicants to receive counselling paid for via the foundation. Aron believes in the value of conversations about mental health and trauma and wants to pave the way for recovery.
Aron, a passionate beekeeper, has combined his love for nature with philanthropy by producing honey to raise funds for the foundation’s charitable projects. The foundation’s mission is simple: to support vulnerable communities and promote sustainable initiatives.
By handcrafting honey straight from local hives, Aron is not only creating a product that reflects purity and care but is also giving back, with all proceeds going directly to support the foundation’s efforts. Every jar of honey sold helps further the Priest Foundation’s work—bringing people together, fostering community support, and nurturing both the environment and those in need.
Aron said – “I’m really enthused by the passion everyone has shown to want to help the people in our community“
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Charity Number: 1178841 | Address: Cricket Pavilion, Garon Park, Eastern Avenue, Southend on Sea, Essex SS2 4FA
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